2 resign from Williams Twp. Public Works

Road superintendent cites "bad blood' as his reason for leaving.

Two members of Williams Township's Public Works Department have resigned, one citing "bad political blood" with a township supervisor as his reason for leaving.

Robert Keiter, the department's road superintendent, submitted his resignation letter Sept. 30 and Bob Frankenfield gave a one-sentence notice Monday and is leaving Oct. 18.

Keiter's last day is today, but he has not been to work since last Friday. He will begin a new job Monday at East Lawn Supply in Nazareth.

The seven-member department will decrease to five within two weeks.

Keiter, 44, said that's because of Supervisor Robert Helm's attitude.

"What happened was a lot of bad political blood between Mr. Helm and I," Keiter said Thursday, who was with the department for 25 years and superintendent for at least five years. "Everything was fine until he came in as supervisor."

Frankenfield, a public works employee for seven years, could not be reached for comment Wednesday and Thursday.

Helm, who became a supervisor in January 2000 and the township's roadmaster, said he was willing to discuss problems Keiter and Frankenfield have with him or the job.

"It came as a shock to me. Nobody didn't say anything to me about any problems," he said.

Helm said both Keiter and Frankenfield drive by his auto shop on Morgan Hill Road every day and "didn't come in. My door is always open."

Keiter said for a limited time.

"When you come in you only had 30 minutes or something like that," he said. "We talked about one idea; [Helm] had another. I just got tired of the political nonsense."

Helm said the supervisors accepted both resignations during the board's regular meeting Wednesday night. He said Keiter's position will be advertised immediately, but there is no set date to replace Frankenfield.